CN108293167B - Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and hearing aid with a battery charging unit - Google Patents

Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and hearing aid with a battery charging unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN108293167B
CN108293167B CN201580084582.9A CN201580084582A CN108293167B CN 108293167 B CN108293167 B CN 108293167B CN 201580084582 A CN201580084582 A CN 201580084582A CN 108293167 B CN108293167 B CN 108293167B
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
charging
hearing aid
charge
battery
user
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN201580084582.9A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN108293167A (en
Inventor
K·维耶-迪特-比勒
C·弗赖
H·迈尔
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Sonova AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonova AG filed Critical Sonova AG
Publication of CN108293167A publication Critical patent/CN108293167A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN108293167B publication Critical patent/CN108293167B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/602Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of batteries
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J50/00Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
    • H02J50/10Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0047Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
    • H02J7/0048Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/007Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
    • H02J7/0071Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage with a programmable schedule
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/31Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/33Aspects relating to adaptation of the battery voltage, e.g. its regulation, increase or decrease

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for charging a rechargeable battery (5) of a hearing aid (1). The proposed method comprises: detecting that a power supply (8) is connected to the hearing aid (1); estimating the state of charge of the battery (5); selecting one of at least a normal charging mode and a fast charging mode according to the estimated state of charge; and charging the battery (5) according to the selected charging mode. Furthermore, the invention provides a hearing aid (1) comprising a battery charging unit (9) and being adapted to support the proposed method.

Description

Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and hearing aid with a battery charging unit
Technical Field
The present invention relates to charging rechargeable batteries of hearing aids, and in particular to a method for charging lithium ion batteries. The invention also relates to a hearing aid with a battery charging unit, in particular to a hearing aid powered by a lithium ion battery.
Background
Hearing aids (sometimes also referred to as hearing instruments or hearing prostheses) are small devices that are worn behind the ear or (at least partially) in the ear canal to compensate for the hearing impairment of hard-of-hearing persons. Such hearing aids are typically long-term and are powered by small batteries, such as zinc air button cells. Zinc-air batteries provide high energy capacity in small package sizes. However, in the case of hearing impaired persons using hearing aids for many hours each day, such batteries are often required to be replaced quite frequently, for example, every few days. The handling of such small batteries is particularly difficult and time consuming for elderly people who have lost their hands-on abilities and have degraded vision, when attempting to replace the depleted batteries of small hearing aids with fully charged batteries. Therefore, rechargeable batteries, such as, for example, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or lithium ion accumulators, are increasingly used in hearing aids. However, rechargeable batteries have a lower capacity than zinc air batteries and thus the time period for powering the hearing aid is shortened. Thus, it may happen that the hearing aid is dead when the user travels or when the user forgets to recharge the battery the night before. Obviously, these situations are very inconvenient for the user, since the user often relies heavily on the hearing aid in operation to improve his hearing.
Therefore, appropriate means are needed to help the user to ensure that their hearing aid has sufficient power whenever it is needed.
Disclosure of Invention
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of charging a battery of a hearing aid, which ensures that the hearing aid has sufficient power whenever the user needs the hearing aid. This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.
Furthermore, it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved hearing aid capable of supporting the proposed method. This object is achieved by a hearing aid according to claim 17.
Particular embodiments of the method and the hearing aid according to the invention are given in the dependent claims.
The invention provides a method for charging a rechargeable battery of a hearing aid, comprising the steps of:
detecting that a power supply is connected to the hearing aid;
estimating a state of charge of the battery;
selecting one of at least a normal charging mode and a fast charging mode according to the estimated state of charge; and is
And charging the battery according to the selected charging mode.
For example, when the user wants to leave the home and the charge level of the battery is low, by means of the proposed method it is possible to recharge the battery of the hearing aid quickly by using a fast charging mode. It is important to note that always applying fast charging will gradually deteriorate the battery capacity and therefore extensive use should be avoided and it should be limited to those situations where the user does need to be able to continue using his hearing aid for a certain amount of time.
In an embodiment of the method, the selection of the charging mode depends on one or more predefined criteria stored in a memory of the hearing aid or a hearing aid accessory such as a remote control unit. In this way, it can be ensured that the rapid charging is limited to a certain situation, in order to avoid deterioration of the battery capacity over time.
In a further embodiment of the method, the one or more predefined criteria are stored in a memory of the hearing aid or hearing aid accessory during fitting of the hearing aid to the hearing or preferences of the user of the hearing aid. In this way, the charging modes available to the user can be customized according to the user's needs.
In a further embodiment of the method the selection of the charging mode is further dependent on a user input, e.g. by a user operating a control element at the hearing aid or at the hearing aid accessory or at the power supply. In this way, the user can select a charging mode as desired, and can override the automatic selection or limitation imposed by the hearing aid, hearing aid accessory or power source, for example.
In further embodiments of the method, the selection of the charging mode further comprises providing information to the user regarding the battery state of charge, and presenting one or more possible selections to the user based on the battery state of charge. In this way, the user may be informed which charging mode is most appropriate in the current context, for example to enable the user to be aware of possible consequences of his selection of a particular charging mode.
In a further embodiment of the method the selection of the charging mode is performed automatically by the hearing aid. In this way, the user can be relieved of the pressure of having to make a selection, and the hearing aid can for example adopt the most appropriate charging mode based on the current situation, e.g. based on the current battery charge and/or the current use of the hearing aid (e.g. its operating state).
In a further embodiment of the method, the fast charging mode can be selected only when the estimated state of charge is below a first predefined threshold level of state of charge comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, in particular in the range of 5% to 50% of the (maximum) battery capacity. In this way, it is possible to not allow a quick charge when the charge level of the battery is still relatively high.
In a further embodiment of the method, the fast charge mode cannot be selected when the estimated state of charge is below a second predefined threshold level of state of charge comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, said second predefined threshold level indicating a deep discharge of the battery, in particular in the range of 0% to 5% of the (maximum) battery capacity. In this way, it is possible to prevent rapid charging when the battery is deeply discharged, because performing rapid charging in such a case may cause damage to the battery.
In a further embodiment of the method, charging the battery comprises a constant current charging phase during which the charging current is kept constant and a constant voltage charging phase during which the charging voltage is kept constant, and wherein charging in the fast charging mode employs a higher charging current during the constant current phase than charging in the normal charging mode, and wherein charging is switched from constant current charging to constant voltage charging when the battery voltage exceeds a predefined threshold level comprised in the one or more predefined criteria.
In a further embodiment of the method, the duration of the constant current charging phase for charging with a higher current in the fast charging mode is limited to a maximum time interval comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, in particular in the range of 1 to 5 minutes, after which the charging switches to another charging mode, in particular to the normal charging mode. In this way, excessive rapid charging can be prevented so as to maintain the durability of the battery capacity.
In a further embodiment of the method, the predefined threshold level of the battery voltage determining the switching from constant current charging to constant voltage charging is different for a fast charging mode and a normal charging mode, these two associated predefined threshold levels being comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, in particular the predefined threshold level of the battery voltage being higher in the fast charging mode than in the normal charging mode.
In a further embodiment of the method, the fast charge is terminated upon determining that the current state of charge of the battery exceeds a third predefined threshold level of state of charge comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, the battery capacity associated with the third predefined threshold level of state of charge being especially sufficient to power the hearing aid for a period of time in the range of 1 hour to 2 hours. In this way, a certain run time of the hearing aid is ensured, while excessive fast charging is avoided, in order to maintain the durability of the battery capacity.
In a further embodiment, the method further comprises recording information about at least one of:
a state of charge at the start of charging the hearing aid;
a duration of a charging cycle (cycle);
a total number of fast charge cycles or mode selections;
a total number of normal charging cycles or mode selections;
a total number of charging cycles;
a total number of user-initiated fast charge cycles.
This recorded information can be used to determine the remaining life of the battery and provide information to a user, assembler, or other service provider, for example, when the battery needs to be replaced. Further, the charging of the battery can be adjusted based on such recorded information.
In a further embodiment of the method, the fast charging mode will not be able to be selected when the total number of fast charging cycles or mode selections performed exceeds a predefined maximum number of fast charging cycles comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, the maximum number of fast charging cycles in particular being in the range of 500 to 5000. In this way, it is possible to prevent excessive use of the quick charge so as to protect the battery.
In a further embodiment of the method, the selection of the charging mode further comprises providing the user with information about the remaining number of allowed fast charging cycles, in particular the difference between the predefined maximum number of fast charging cycles and the total number of previously performed fast charging cycles or mode selections. In this way, the user can be always aware of how frequently the quick charge is employed, and can be made aware of the excessive use of the quick charge.
In a further embodiment of the method, the rechargeable battery is a lithium ion battery, for which the proposed method is particularly advantageous.
In a further embodiment of the method, estimating the state of charge comprises measuring a voltage level of the battery and/or based on data recorded by the hearing aid relating to measurements of battery current and/or capacity. In this way, the state of charge of the battery can be accurately and reliably determined.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a hearing aid comprising:
a sound pickup;
a speaker;
a processing unit adapted to process an input audio signal picked up by the pickup and to provide a processed audio signal for output by the speaker;
a rechargeable battery for powering the hearing aid;
a charge level detector adapted to determine a state of charge of the battery;
a connection unit adapted to operatively connect a power source, such as a current source or a voltage source, to the hearing aid; and
a charging unit adapted to charge a battery from the power supply according to at least one of a normal charging mode and a fast charging mode.
By incorporating the charging unit into the hearing aid, a simpler power supply can be employed, while providing the specific "intelligence" needed to charge the hearing aid in the hearing aid itself. Furthermore, the hearing aid for example has information about its usage (current, previous and predicted future usage), on the basis of which the charging scheme controlled by the charging unit (e.g. in cooperation with the processing unit) can be optimized.
In an embodiment of the hearing aid, the charging unit is controlled by the processing unit. In this way, the optimization of the charging process can be further improved.
The charging unit and the processing unit are particularly adapted and configured to support charging of a hearing aid according to the method of the invention.
In a further embodiment of the hearing aid, the charging unit or the processing unit is adapted to automatically select the charging mode in accordance with one or more predefined criteria stored in a memory of the hearing aid or of a hearing aid accessory such as a remote control unit.
In a further embodiment, the hearing aid further comprises or is operatively connectable with a user control element operable by a user of the hearing aid to select the charging mode, the user control element being in particular arranged at a hearing aid accessory such as a remote control unit or at the power supply.
In a further embodiment the hearing aid further comprises or is operatively connectable with a display unit adapted to provide information to a user about the battery state of charge, or to present one or more possible selections to the user depending on the battery state of charge, and/or to provide information to the user about the remaining number of allowed fast charge cycles, in particular the difference between a predefined maximum number of fast charge cycles and the total number of previously performed fast charge cycles or mode selections, the display unit being particularly arranged at a hearing aid accessory such as a remote control unit.
In a further embodiment of the hearing aid, the rechargeable battery is a lithium ion battery.
In a further embodiment of the hearing aid, the connection unit comprises electrical contacts.
In a further embodiment of the hearing aid, the connection unit comprises an induction coil for wireless connection of the power supply to the hearing aid.
In a further embodiment of the hearing aid, the connection unit comprises a capacitive coupling device for wirelessly connecting the power supply to the hearing aid.
In a further embodiment of the hearing aid, the connection unit comprises an optical coupling device, in particular the hearing aid comprises a photovoltaic element.
It should be noted that combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments may lead to further embodiments of the invention, unless the combined features bring about contradictory conflicts.
Drawings
The invention will be further explained below by means of non-limiting specific embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
fig. 1 depicts a schematic block diagram of a hearing aid according to the invention.
Detailed Description
In fig. 1 a hearing aid 1 according to the invention is schematically illustrated. The hearing aid comprises: a microphone 2 for picking up sound from the surroundings of a user wearing the hearing aid 1 at the ear or at least partly in the ear canal; a processing unit 4 for processing, e.g., amplifying, the audio signal from the sound pickup 2; and a micro-speaker 3 (often also referred to as a receiver) for outputting the processed audio signal into the ear canal of the user. The hearing aid 1 is powered by a rechargeable battery 5, such as for example a lithium ion button cell. Since the hearing aid 1 is typically used for a long period of time (e.g. a whole day), the battery needs to be recharged the first night. For example, when high amplification or large amounts of processing are required, for example due to frequent changes in the listening environment or due to the use of power intensive features (e.g. beam forming, feedback cancellation or audio streaming), the widespread use of hearing aids 1 will cause the battery to drain more quickly, thus requiring the hearing aid 1 to be recharged during the course of the day. The charge level detector 6 monitors the state of charge of the battery 5, and notifies the user, for example, via a signal output by the speaker 3 when the battery 5 becomes short of electric power. If the user urgently needs the hearing aid to remain operational, he will find it very useful to be able to quickly charge the battery 5 to a level that at least allows the hearing aid 1 to be powered in 1 to 2 hours. The user can initiate a fast charge of the battery 5 by connecting the hearing aid 1 to the power supply 8 and e.g. pressing a fast charge button 12 on a user control device 11, such as a remote control unit. The button 12 may also be located on the hearing aid 1 itself or may be arranged at the power supply 8. The power supply 8 may be connected with the hearing aid 1 via wires and electrical contacts or may wirelessly transfer power to the hearing aid 1, e.g. by means of capacitive or inductive coupling.
The charging process is controlled by the charging unit 9, possibly in combination with the processing unit 4, taking into account the estimated state of charge of the battery 5 provided by the charge level detector 6. The charging unit 9 and/or the processing unit 4 may automatically select the charging mode according to one or more predefined criteria stored in the memory 10 of the hearing aid 1. Alternatively, such data may be stored in a memory of a hearing aid accessory 11, such as a remote control unit, which is operatively (e.g. wirelessly) connectable with the hearing aid 1.
Information about the current state of charge may be provided to the user, along with possible charging options, on a display located, for example, on the hearing aid accessory 11, so that the user can select the appropriate charging mode. In this way, guidance can be provided to the user as to how many fast charge cycles can also be applied to the battery 5 without causing damage. Furthermore, the user can for example be informed that a quick charge is not available, for example allowing continued use of the hearing aid 1 because the power level of the battery 5 is sufficiently high, or that a quick charge would cause damage to the battery 5 because the battery 5 is deeply discharged.
In order to provide such information to the user, it would be useful to record data regarding the charging of the battery 5 in the hearing aid memory 10 or alternatively in a memory of the accessory 11, such as a remote control unit. This recorded data can also be used to determine the remaining life of the battery 5 and provide information to a user, assembler or other service provider, for example, when the battery 5 needs to be replaced. Further, the charging of the battery 5 can be adjusted based on the recorded data.
Since the increased constant current employed during fast charging can significantly cause degradation of the capacity of the battery 5, the present invention ensures that fast charging is only effective for a short period of time (e.g., by limiting the period of time of the constant current phase (with increased charging current) of the charging cycle). Furthermore, the fast charge is optimized to ensure that the charge level allows the hearing aid 1 to operate for one to two hours.
The present invention provides an improved hearing aid 1 that allows for the management of charging in a more user-friendly manner. The proposed method for fast charging provides a good trade-off between battery life and temporary user demand. A further advantage of the invention is that the entire hearing system is simplified, since the charging is controlled by the hearing aid 1 itself. This will lead to reduced costs and higher efficiency, since the charging unit 9 (which can be part of the processing unit 4 or integrated with the processing unit 4) controlling the charging process is integrated into the hearing aid 1, thus enabling a simpler, more general (but "silent") power supply.

Claims (23)

1. A method for charging a rechargeable battery (5) of a hearing aid (1), comprising the steps of:
-detecting that a power supply (8) is connected to the hearing aid (1);
estimating the state of charge of the battery (5);
selecting one of at least a normal charging mode and a fast charging mode as a function of the estimated state of charge, wherein the fast charging mode is associated with charging at a higher charging current applied during a constant current phase than in the normal charging mode; and is
Charging the battery (5) according to the selected charging mode,
wherein the rechargeable battery (5) is a lithium ion battery,
wherein selecting the fast charge mode is only possible when the estimated state of charge is below a first predefined threshold level and above a second predefined threshold level.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the charging mode depends on one or more predefined criteria stored in a memory (10) of the hearing aid (1) or a hearing aid accessory (11), and wherein the one or more predefined criteria are stored in the memory (10) of the hearing aid (1) or the hearing aid accessory (11) during fitting of the hearing aid (1) with the hearing or preferences of a user of the hearing aid (1).
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selection of the charging mode is further dependent on user input.
4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection of the charging mode further comprises: information about battery state of charge is provided to a user, and one or more possible selections are presented to the user according to the battery state of charge.
5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection of the charging mode is performed automatically by the hearing aid (1).
6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first predefined threshold level is in the range of 5% to 50% of battery capacity.
7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the fast charge mode cannot be selected when the estimated state of charge is below a second predefined threshold level of the state of charge comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, the second predefined threshold level indicating a deep discharge of the battery (5).
8. Method according to claim 2, wherein the charging of the battery (5) comprises a constant current charging phase during which the charging current is kept constant and a constant voltage charging phase during which the charging voltage is kept constant, and wherein the charging is switched from constant current charging to constant voltage charging when the battery voltage exceeds a predefined threshold level comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, and wherein the duration of the constant current charging phase for charging with a higher current in the fast charging mode is limited to a maximum time interval comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, after which the charging is switched to another charging mode, including to the normal charging mode.
9. The method according to claim 2, wherein fast charging is terminated upon determining that the current state of charge of the battery (5) exceeds a third predefined threshold level of the state of charge comprised in the one or more predefined criteria, the battery capacity associated with the third predefined threshold level of the state of charge being sufficient to power the hearing aid (1) for a period of time in the range from 1 hour to 2 hours.
10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising recording information about at least one of:
-a state of charge when starting to charge the hearing aid (1);
the duration of the charging cycle;
a total number of fast charge cycles or mode selections;
a total number of normal charging cycles or mode selections;
a total number of charging cycles;
a total number of user-initiated fast charge cycles.
11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hearing aid accessory (11) comprises a remote control unit.
12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the user input is obtained by a user operating a user control element (12) at the hearing aid (1) or at the hearing aid accessory (11) or at the power supply (8).
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the second predefined threshold level is in a range of 0% to 5% of battery capacity.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the maximum time interval is in a range from 1 to 5 minutes.
15. A hearing aid (1) comprising:
a sound pickup (2);
a speaker (3);
a processing unit (4) adapted to process an input audio signal picked up by the sound pick-up (2) and to provide a processed audio signal for output by the loudspeaker (3);
a rechargeable battery (5) for powering the hearing aid (1);
a charge level detector (6) adapted to determine the state of charge of the battery (5);
a connection unit (7) adapted to operatively connect a power source (8) to the hearing aid (1); and
a charging unit (9) adapted to charge the battery (5) from the power supply (8) according to at least one of a normal charging mode and a fast charging mode, wherein the fast charging mode is related to charging with a higher charging current than the charging current in the normal charging mode applied during a constant current phase,
wherein the charging unit (9) is controlled by the processing unit (4) and
wherein the rechargeable battery (5) is a lithium ion battery,
wherein selecting the fast charge mode is only possible when the estimated state of charge is below a first predefined threshold level and above a second predefined threshold level.
16. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 15, wherein the charging unit (9) or the processing unit (4) is adapted to automatically select the charging mode according to one or more predefined criteria stored in a memory (10) of the hearing aid (1) or a hearing aid accessory (11) operatively connectable with the hearing aid (1).
17. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 15, further comprising a user control element (12) or being operatively connectable with a user control element (12), the user control element (12) being operable by a user of the hearing aid (1) to select the charging mode.
18. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 17, wherein the user control element (12) is arranged at a hearing aid accessory (11) or at the power supply (8).
19. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 17, further comprising a display unit (13) or being operatively connectable with a display unit (13), the display unit being adapted to: providing information to the user about the battery state of charge or presenting one or more possible selections to the user depending on the battery state of charge and/or providing information to the user about the remaining number of allowed fast charge cycles, said information about the remaining number comprising the difference between a predefined maximum number of fast charge cycles and the total number of previously performed fast charge cycles or mode selections.
20. The hearing aid (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the charging unit (9) or the processing unit (4) is adapted to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
21. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 15, wherein the power supply (8) comprises a current or voltage source.
22. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 16 or 18, wherein the hearing aid accessory (11) comprises a remote control unit.
23. The hearing aid (1) according to claim 19, wherein the display unit (13) is arranged at a hearing aid accessory (11).
CN201580084582.9A 2015-11-16 2015-11-16 Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and hearing aid with a battery charging unit Active CN108293167B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2015/076653 WO2017084686A1 (en) 2015-11-16 2015-11-16 Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and a hearing aid with a battery charging unit

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN108293167A CN108293167A (en) 2018-07-17
CN108293167B true CN108293167B (en) 2021-10-29

Family

ID=54545143

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN201580084582.9A Active CN108293167B (en) 2015-11-16 2015-11-16 Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and hearing aid with a battery charging unit

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US11159897B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3378238B1 (en)
CN (1) CN108293167B (en)
DK (1) DK3378238T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2017084686A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4064558A1 (en) * 2016-10-31 2022-09-28 Oticon A/s A hearing device comprising an amplifier system for minimizing variation in an acoustical signal caused by variation in gain of an amplifier
CN108649645A (en) * 2018-06-01 2018-10-12 北京汉能光伏投资有限公司 A kind of battery control system
US10666067B2 (en) * 2018-06-19 2020-05-26 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Portable charging unit with accelerated charging for hearing assistance devices
US10448137B1 (en) 2018-06-21 2019-10-15 Bose Corporation Dual zone discharge of rechargeable batteries
DE102019218616A1 (en) * 2019-11-29 2021-06-02 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. Method for operating a hearing system, hearing system and computer program product
EP3833050A1 (en) * 2019-12-06 2021-06-09 GN Hearing A/S Method for charging a battery of a hearing device
US11665490B2 (en) 2021-02-03 2023-05-30 Helen Of Troy Limited Auditory device cable arrangement
US20220360881A1 (en) * 2021-05-06 2022-11-10 Gn Hearing A/S Hearing device comprising a receiver module comprising a vent having a vent valve device
WO2023287796A1 (en) * 2021-07-12 2023-01-19 Team Ip Holdings Llc. System and method for providing hearing aid rechargeable battery state of charge estimation for rapid user feedback and charge management
US11595767B1 (en) 2021-11-18 2023-02-28 Sonova Ag Rechargeable hearing devices and chargers for use with same
WO2024170862A1 (en) * 2023-02-15 2024-08-22 Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Limited Method of controlling charging of a battery depending on its usage over its lifetime

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1659759A (en) * 2002-06-14 2005-08-24 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Charger for rechargeable batteries
WO2014044292A1 (en) * 2012-09-18 2014-03-27 Phonak Ag Method for charging a nimh battery, a battery charger and a system comprising a battery charger and a hearing device
CN103746427A (en) * 2014-01-09 2014-04-23 小米科技有限责任公司 Power supply, power supply charging circuit and method and terminal equipment
CN204216641U (en) * 2014-12-02 2015-03-18 新乡学院 A kind of smart mobile phone emergent charging apparatus
CN104578227A (en) * 2013-10-29 2015-04-29 大连生容享科技有限公司 Mobile power supply
CN104868540A (en) * 2015-05-14 2015-08-26 武汉合康动力技术有限公司 Implement method for multi-mode charging of lead-acid storage battery

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4297630A (en) 1980-06-23 1981-10-27 General Electric Company Timed fast charger
DE19838137A1 (en) 1998-08-21 2000-03-02 Implex Hear Tech Ag Charger arrangement for rechargeable Ni Cd, Ni-metal hydride, or Lithium batteries in implant, has current source which provides high initial current
US7295878B1 (en) 1999-07-30 2007-11-13 Advanced Bionics Corporation Implantable devices using rechargeable zero-volt technology lithium-ion batteries
US7620195B2 (en) * 2005-11-09 2009-11-17 Zounds, Inc. Rechargeable hearing aid
US8767986B1 (en) * 2010-04-12 2014-07-01 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Method and apparatus for hearing aid subscription support
WO2010081915A2 (en) 2010-04-23 2010-07-22 Phonak Ag Device for programming a hearing device and supplying a hearing device with energy
GB2484773B (en) 2010-10-21 2013-09-11 Chervon Hk Ltd Battery charging system having multiple charging modes
CN102655333B (en) * 2011-03-04 2015-02-04 国基电子(上海)有限公司 Battery charging device and charging method thereof
KR101976176B1 (en) * 2012-05-17 2019-05-08 엘지전자 주식회사 Mobile terminal
US20140320089A1 (en) 2013-04-30 2014-10-30 Fang Wang Smart charging algorithm of lithium ion battery
CN103490110A (en) * 2013-07-09 2014-01-01 太原科技大学 Charging method of power lithium ion batteries
CN103500858A (en) * 2013-09-06 2014-01-08 惠州市亿能电子有限公司 Pulse charging method
CN104377396B (en) * 2014-11-07 2017-04-05 惠州市亿能电子有限公司 A kind of lithium battery group charging method

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1659759A (en) * 2002-06-14 2005-08-24 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Charger for rechargeable batteries
WO2014044292A1 (en) * 2012-09-18 2014-03-27 Phonak Ag Method for charging a nimh battery, a battery charger and a system comprising a battery charger and a hearing device
CN104578227A (en) * 2013-10-29 2015-04-29 大连生容享科技有限公司 Mobile power supply
CN103746427A (en) * 2014-01-09 2014-04-23 小米科技有限责任公司 Power supply, power supply charging circuit and method and terminal equipment
CN204216641U (en) * 2014-12-02 2015-03-18 新乡学院 A kind of smart mobile phone emergent charging apparatus
CN104868540A (en) * 2015-05-14 2015-08-26 武汉合康动力技术有限公司 Implement method for multi-mode charging of lead-acid storage battery

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3378238A1 (en) 2018-09-26
WO2017084686A1 (en) 2017-05-26
US11159897B2 (en) 2021-10-26
EP3378238B1 (en) 2023-05-03
CN108293167A (en) 2018-07-17
DK3378238T3 (en) 2023-06-12
US20180332408A1 (en) 2018-11-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN108293167B (en) Method for charging a battery of a hearing aid and hearing aid with a battery charging unit
US8265315B2 (en) Listening system comprising a charging station with a data memory
US20100301803A1 (en) Charging device and algorithm for charging nimh batteries
US20130329925A1 (en) Hearing instrument system with a rechargeable battery
CN111417061B (en) Hearing device, hearing system and corresponding method
US9467771B2 (en) Battery-powered wireless audio device and a method of operating such a wireless audio device
EP2952015B1 (en) State of charge indication in a hearing device
US20120314893A1 (en) Hearing aid with integrated telecoil and battery recharge coil
JP7021848B2 (en) Hearing aid with power management
US11177674B2 (en) Communication apparatus with charging reminder, and method
CN114762363A (en) Method for charging a battery of a hearing device
KR20150052516A (en) Hearing device using multiple battery and method to manage power of the hearing device
US10779092B2 (en) Hearing device and hearing system as well as method for operating a hearing device
EP4062653B1 (en) Method of operating a hearing assistive device having a rechargeable battery
US20240259739A1 (en) Hearing device and related method of wireless charging
CN115442691A (en) Method for initializing a long-term storage mode of a hearing instrument

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PB01 Publication
PB01 Publication
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant